The Turning Point
When the boat pulled into dock at a port outside the Leaf Village Sakura began to feel apprehensive. The journey back to the village was a short one but Kakashi still seemed displeased with their actions during the coronation so there was minimal conversation. Kakashi departed as soon as they entered the village gates to report the success of their mission.
"You have until this evening to report all that has happened to Lady Tsunade before I tell her myself Sakura. I would like all of you to seriously consider your actions at the official lunch and think about how you could have handled yourselves and your emotions a lot better"
After the familiar cloud of white smoke dispersed Team 7 trudged towards the centre of Konoha. "I don't get what his problem is! We were acting as a team and sticking up for one of our own!" Naruto demanded kicking a stone hard.
"Hn why are you complaining dobe I'm the one that punched him" Sasuke said.
"Shut up teme I would have hit him too but you just happened to be closer!" Naruto retorted.
"Enough both of you stop it please. It was my fault I acted to rashly and let my emotions get the better of me. Kakashi-sensei is disappointed in us because we failed to see the diplomacy issues and I thought my own were more important" Sakura interrupted feeling annoyed with herself.
"Sakura-chan you had a right to be angry, that pompous lord refused to help your mother find your father!" Naruto declared.
"Not at the expense of the mission Naruto. It's a ninja's job to keep their personal life out of things and I messed up. I'll see you two later on I need to go home and clean up before visiting the Hokage" Sakura replied quietly and her two teammates exchanged looks.
"Hn Sakura" Sasuke began but Sakura shook her head promptly, "It's fine Sasuke I just need to be by myself for a while before I see Lady Tsunade and explain"
"Poor Sakura-chan and her family" Naruto said to Sasuke as they watched their teammate leave. Suddenly an idea popped into the blond boy's head which made him grin like a fox and turn to Sasuke expectantly.
"Go away dobe" Sasuke said monotone and turned on his heel towards the remains of the Uchiha estate.
"But teme you haven't even heard my great idea to cheer Sakura-chan up!" Naruto whined and trailed after Sasuke.
"Whatever it is you can do it on your own"
"But it would mean a lot more to Sakura if you were involved in it!" Naruto exclaimed happily and Sasuke glared at him.
"How many times do you want to hear the word no?"
"But teme it would totally earn you some bonus points and let's face it you need all the help you can get! I've seen the way Sakura-chan looks at you but I think you'd move further if you actually showed you cared about her or at least that's what happens in those dramas!" Naruto babbled and Sasuke stopped walking.
"What do you mean the way she looks at me?"
Naruto smiled widely and raised his eyebrows at the Uchiha boy before motioning for him to follow.
It felt as though someone had sucked all the life out of Sakura as she walked in a zombie like trance around her childhood home unpacking from the mission, taking what she thought would be a relaxing shower, changing and then leaving the house to walk the few minutes to the Hokage Tower.
It had seemed Tsunade had taken some of the more 'incompetent' nurses from the hospital and put them to work for her in administration and Sakura waved and smiled to the ex-nurses she knew. Knowing she had come to see Tsunade, no one batted an eyelash when Sakura walked past the reception desk and began climbing the stairs of the tower to the Hokage's office.
At least Ami doesn't have her internship here anymore, Tsunade-sama must have heard what an awful person she was and fired her for it, Sakura thought and smiled in amusement as she continued up the seemingly endless staircase.
"Sakura it's wonderful to see you again! How was the mission and what are you doing here?" Shizune asked exiting a room and spotting the head nurse.
"Hi Shizune it's good to see you too, the mission was interesting to say the least but I actually have to talk to Lady Tsunade about a few things that went on. Why are you here?" Sakura asked injecting happiness into her voice, trying to change the subject.
"Well Lady Tsunade is Hokage now and I'm having a bit of trouble keeping her on task sadly. I guess she thinks she just do no paperwork and drink sake and everything will be okay. But there is a lot to do and I'm also in charge of the hospital too! So it's a lot of work trying to help the Hokage and run the hospital myself which is why I'm so glad you're back!" Shizune ranted sounding very stressed out.
Sakura nodded and smiled as the continued climbing the staircase. "You know she's training you up to take over from me Sakura. Lady Tsunade wants you to run Konoha Hospital!" Shizune exclaimed but then quickly slapped a hand over her mouth.
"Oh no I don't think I was supposed to say anything. Well this is me anyway; the Hokage's office is just around the corner from here! Please don't tell Tsunade I told you!" Shizune said half pleadingly before quickly disappearing into another room.
Sakura didn't know what to feel, Tsunade wanted her to eventually run the hospital which seemed like great news but what would she say after hearing all that had happened in the Land of Snow?
Running the hospital is a full time job, what about my life as a ninja out in battle and going off on missions. I'd still want to do that and not to mention my parents, I promised myself when I'd deemed that I was strong enough that I'd go and find them, dead or alive.
All these thoughts ran through Sakura's head as she pushed open the door to the Hokage's office and stepped inside. The office was located at the very top of the tower giving whoever was inside a perfect view of the sprawling streets of Konoha filled with many people for the middle of the day trading.
Sakura quickly located her teacher asleep on the huge desk facing away from the vast window and balcony. Knowing how much Tsunade valued her sleep Sakura was extremely hesitant to wake her and looked to the door with a silent plea for escape. Moving her head from her arms Tsunade groaned and Sakura decided that it was now or never. Walking over as quietly as she could Sakura extended her arm and tapped her sensei on the arm three times.
"HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU PEOPLE I'LL HAVE THE PAPER WORK DONE WHEN I DAMN WELL FEEL LIKE IT AND NO I DON'T CARE WHAT THE COUNCIL HAS TO SAY ABOUT IT!" Tsunade yelled sitting up groggily and peering at Sakura through half-lidded eyes.
"Oh it's just you Sakura. I see you've returned from the Land of Snow, how was the fabled Princess Gale?" Tsunade said in a much calmer voice recognising her student. Sitting up properly she pulled a piece of paper stuck to her face off and placed it in the huge pile next to her desk.
"Turns out she's a real princess, Koyuki Kazahana and she's now ruling as the queen of the Land of Snow as was her birth right" Sakura said hardly fazed by Tsunade's outburst, she had grown accustomed to it after many long days spent with her teacher training and in the hospital.
"Well that must have been convenient for you all then" Tsunade replied as Sakura took a seat in front of her.
"Kakashi told me you're the new Hokage now, congratulations!" Sakura said in a light hearted tone hoping to delay the truth telling.
"I don't know if there is much to celebrate yet. This job is a ridiculous amount of paper work more than the hospital ever was but Shizune has been helpful apart from the fact that she's hidden most of my sake. The council were very insistent that it was to be either me or Jiraiya to take up the position; Jiraiya said no of course and practically insisted I was the best candidate. I guess I owe Sarutobi this much" Tsunade explained.
Sakura nodded and tugged on her finger tips nervously as Tsunade fixed her with a somewhat glassy look. "Kakashi already came to report the mission logistics to me and mentioned a discrepancy between your team and some allied feudal lords which I'm led to believe you started?"
"My parents are missing ninja, my father is registered but my mother is not. My father didn't return from his A ranked mission and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance were suspicious to my mother and me. So she left asking me to hide the truth for as long as possible which I did because I wanted to remain loyal to my family" Sakura blurted out and Tsunade simply looked at her indicating she should continue.
"At the time I let my emotions get the better of me Lord Gorou was approached by my mother and beseeched for help in finding my father. He refused her and then began to insult her in a derogatory manor boastfully in front of his friend Lord Osamu. So I um threatened to rip out his internal organs…" Sakura trailed off and avoided eye contact with her sensei.
A throaty chuckle echoed around the room and Sakura's head shot up to see her sensei's body shaking with laugher. Sakura cracked a small smile which eventually turned into her own giggling which worked in harmony with Tsunade's. Wiping at her eyes Tsunade fixed her student with an amused look.
"I've hated that Lord Gorou from the moment I met him when I was travelling through his country collecting rare medicinal herbs. It's a shame his alliance is needed for the manufacturing of ninja weapons, they are the best in all the lands"
"So you're not angry with me for what I did?" Sakura asked knowing it was a long shot.
"Not angry just disappointed. I've told you about keeping your emotions under control but I guess it's one thing for me to say it but I do remember what it was like to be your age. No one expects perfection you're still learning, next time think logically before you act and as always you need to consider the implications of your actions for your teammates and your village" Tsunade chastised and Sakura nodded.
"However your withholding of information from the Leaf Village as a loyally sworn ninja is serious" Tsunade continued becoming serious and Sakura swallowed hard. "I did it to protect my family"
"Did you think the village couldn't help? Or that they just wouldn't try?" Tsunade asked and Sakura nodded slowly.
"Also I was worried my parents would be disgraced. Deserting your village especially after serving as such honourable ninja for many years people would forget that in a heartbeat and focus on the fact that they're traitors and that's not who they are. They would never betray the Leaf Village" The pink haired teen elaborated.
"You're going to go after them eventually, it seems like the only logical step and I know you to be a rational type of person Sakura" Tsunade said after some time.
"I don't have a choice they're my family and I'm their only child. I don't want to leave and be a disgrace to the village but I'll do whatever it takes to find them alive or dead. Every day that I stay here and do nothing is another day where their lives could be in danger if they already aren't" Sakura replied exasperated.
"If you leave I'll have no choice but to make you a missing ninja as well you realise that?" Tsunade asked her voice hard. Sakura's eyes widened but she nodded nonetheless completely determined.
"I don't want you to leave Sakura. You have so much potential as a medical ninja and I'd hate for you to waste it as I'm sure your parents would" Tsunade began and Sakura opened her mouth to protest but the blond woman held up her hand. Sakura scowled but waited for her sensei to continue.
"Which is why I'm willing to make you a deal. As soon as our meeting here is over I will assemble a team of ANBU Black Ops with the sole purpose of finding both your mother and father and bringing them back alive or dead" Tsunade offered.
"And what do I have to do in return?" Sakura asked sceptically.
"Promise me as your sensei and your Hokage that you won't leave this village until the ANBU team returns with the results of the search. If they are still unable to bring back any information at all you may leave the village but you will be officially classified as missing and people will interpret that as they will"
"The ANBU Black Ops team has a month Tsunade-sama. That is all I can wait before I leave, but I promise I will stay until they return" Sakura said readily.
"Fine a month it is. But there is still the matter of your punishment for concealing the information in the first place" Tsunade smirked at her student and pointed towards the huge stack of paperwork sitting next to her desk.
"That will take days to complete" Sakura groaned and Tsunade looked at her sharply "You got off lightly Sakura and if you start now instead of complaining you'll be done a lot quicker. I expect you to return to your head nurse duties tomorrow under Shizune and resume our training"
Grabbing her bag Tsunade stood up and motioned for Sakura to sit down at her desk. Sakura resisted the urge to growl in frustration as she picked up the first sheet of paperwork and began silently filling it in.
"If you need any assistance talk to reception and I expect it all finished by tomorrow afternoon" Tsunade said cheerily and as soon as she left Sakura buried her head in her arms and muffled her screams of frustration.
"The Cherry Blossom Festival" Sasuke read off the flyer and looked at Naruto blankly.
"Come on Sasuke-teme, Sakura-chan's birthday is going to be on the last day of the festival and she was named after the cherry blossom tree so it all fits perfectly" Naruto explained his eyes shining with excitement.
"Hn stop babbling dobe" Sasuke said feeling especially annoyed with his teammate's sudden outburst of event planning.
"Don't be such a mood killer teme this is why someone like Sakura-chan doesn't want to be around you. How can she be near someone who's a total buzzkill when she's so nice and upbeat and happy all the time" Naruto countered.
"Hn" Sasuke offered and turned his attention back to the flyer. Naruto had decided that given their recent discovery of Sakura's situation with her parents that it was up to them as her teammates to take her mind off it all.
"We'll invite Ino and that lazy boy Shikamaru and Choji I'd-Eat-My-Own-Head-If-I-Could Akimichi. Plus Hinata and her squad even though Kiba is a downright idiot and then Lee and Neji Hyuga and Tenten" Naruto said listing off the Rookie 9, Sasuke's eyes narrowed at the mention of Lee's invite but decided not to voice is opinion on the matter.
"Hn will Sakura even go for this? A surprise party at a festival with the Rookie 9 for her birthday how do we know she even wants to celebrate" Sasuke asked handing the flyer back to Naruto as they continued down the busy streets of Konoha.
"I guess you're right Sasuke-teme she might need some convincing. Knowing Sakura-chan on the night of the whole thing she'll probably be working late at that hospital which is where you come in!" Naruto exclaimed and Sasuke immediately felt uncomfortable.
"What am I supposed to do?"
"You're going to invite Sakura-chan to the festival! Pick her up and dress nicely for the occasion teme that's important. It's her birthday so your training outfit won't do maybe a suit and a nice tie! When you arrive at the festival you'll bring her to the place where we'll all be hiding ready to surprise her!" Naruto rambled and Sasuke stiffened immediately.
"No I'm not doing that. I'll show up for the festival but I'm not wearing a suit and inviting her myself"
"What's wrong, sound too much like a date huh Sasuke?" Naruto prodded.
"Hn it's not a date I'm not asking her out" Sasuke shot back quickly.
"Exactly so you have nothing to worry about! It's just two friends dressing up for a nice trip to the Cherry Blossom Festival to celebrate one friend's birthday. If you explain it to Sakura-chan like that I'm sure she won't think anything more of it" Naruto said happily.
"Hn"
"That's the spirit teme!"
The first week back from the Land of Snow mission drew to a close and Sakura worked around the clock. Her duties as head nurse of Konoha Hospital seemed to have increased exponentially to the point where Sakura was the first one in the door of the hospital in the morning and the last one to leave at night. Her training with Tsunade still focused on stamina and fitness as well as continual work on her chakra reserve. Knowing Sakura wanted to find her parents desperately, Tsunade geared their training towards the need for stamina and a strong chakra reserve if Sakura were to leave the village and make it on her own while looking for her parents.
Training with Team 7 remained the same as it always had except Sakura now got to spar more frequently and even against Sasuke at times although those matches were always short lived. Sakura continually observed the leading doctors in surgery to obtain more information on correct medical procedures and detection of illness or disease in a person early. Shizune ran the hospital with a sweet but firm disposition but still made time to educate Sakura on the correct use of poisons and worked with her on developing antidotes as well as general medical revision. Because of her busy schedule Sakura had little time to relax at home which meant little time to dwell on the silence of the house due to its missing participants.
The following week blended seamlessly into the first and Sakura barely noticed that the whole of her birthday had gone by. She had only realised when one of the nurses wished her a happy birthday as she was leaving for the night. Sakura gaped at her before her eyes flicked to the calendar on the wall which displayed the date proudly.
There it is then March 28th I spent my whole birthday working in the hospital and training with Tsunade. I don't know what's more depressing the fact that I didn't know it was my birthday or the fact that I don't care the day is gone and I've done nothing to celebrate, Sakura thought ruefully as she sat at the reception desk alone in the hospital filling out discharged forms.
A tap on the hospital door pulled Sakura from her mundane task and she looked up to see Uchiha Sasuke standing outside the hospital.
In a suit
Holding a bouquet of flowers
Looking extremely embarrassed
Curiously Sakura approached the main entrance and unlocked the door. "Sasuke, what are you doing here?"
"Hn Sakura aren't you supposed to be finished now?" Sasuke asked ignoring her question.
"I have some discharge forms to fill out and then I'm going home. Why are you in a suit and who are the flowers for? Do you have a date?" Sakura poked Sasuke in the shoulder as she asked each question praying the last one wouldn't happen in the next million years.
"Hn Happy Birthday" Sasuke relented thrusting the flowers under her nose. Sakura smiled a little and took them gently inhaling the sweet scent.
"Thank you Sasuke but you really didn't have to get me flowers. I'm not sure I'm really in the mood to celebrate my birthday this year. In fact I didn't even know it was today until one of the nurses mentioned it" Sakura said walking back into the reception area as Sasuke followed her.
"I'll wait until you've finished the forms and then we're going out" Sasuke said. Sakura peered at him curiously and Sasuke avoided her eye stuffing his hands into the pockets of his formal pants.
"Is this some sort of practical joke? Is Naruto behind this again, it's not a clone jutsu because I can't sense his chakra but whatever this is I'm really not in the mood for it. Thank you for the flowers Sasuke but I think I'll just go home and sleep" Sakura said quickly gathering her things and brushing past Sasuke.
"Hn wait Sakura, it's not a practical joke do you honestly think I'd be involved with something stupid the dobe created? I'm here to take you to the Cherry Blossom Festival for your birthday as friends" Sasuke said remembering to include the last part although he didn't really know if that was what they were.
Sakura flinched a little upon hearing the word friends and didn't know why she did. Thankfully Sasuke hadn't noticed and Sakura smiled at her teammate. "Well okay then but the suit really? A little over dressed for a festival don't you think?"
"Hn shut up. We're going to your place first so you can get dressed up too. You're kidding yourself if you think I'm going to be the only one walking around like this" Sasuke smirked.
"Okay I'm going jeez" Sakura replied laughing and putting her hands up in a mock surrender.
After a quick stop at her home where Sakura quickly changed into one of the dresses she had saved from her wardrobe clean out and a pair of comfortable flats, she and Sasuke walked the few streets between her house and the opened parklands where the Cherry Blossom Festival was being held.
"AHHH WE'RE ON A DATE WITH SASUKE FREAKING UCHIHA" Inner squealed crazily thinking more than admirable thoughts about Sasuke in his suit. Sakura kept a lid on those thoughts but stole a few looks at her teammate. Sasuke did look very nice in a suit that was for certain but Sakura couldn't stop wondering about this impromptu birthday outing, was this a date?
After what had happened between them on the boat in the Land of Snow was this the next step? If this was the next step what exactly was the first? Was there even any need for a step at all? Sakura shook her head and tried to clear her mind, she was reading into the gesture way too much. If Sasuke said it was a birthday outing as friends then that's what it is and Sakura was determined try and enjoy herself.
She's not saying anything. Is she uncomfortable? Does she think this is a date? Stupid stupid dobe and his stupid plans I'm only doing this because I want to take her mind off her family problems. They couldn't have just done a simple dinner out could they? Sasuke thought feeling annoyed and out of his depth.
"It's a nice night, thank you for suggesting this Sasuke. It's probably not good for me to be working as much as I am. Besides I think I could do with some fun" Sakura said and smiled warmly at Sasuke.
"Hn it's fine Sakura. You look nice tonight" Sasuke said before he could stop himself but felt his Uchiha pride swell when he saw his teammate blush lightly.
"Thank you Sasuke, you too" Sakura replied trying to cool her cheeks as Sasuke smirked.
The entrance to the festival had finally come into view with many cherry blossom trees in full bloom lit up with fairy lights draped elegantly through the tree branches and around the trunks. Stalls were set up selling sweet foods and drinks as well as places for carnival style games and rides for children.
Sasuke wandered among the stalls checking his watch every so often and searching for the place Naruto had mentioned where he and the rest of Rookie 9 were going to be hiding waiting to jump out and surprise Sakura. Looking over his shoulder Sasuke made sure Sakura was following and frowned when he noticed she had stopped to look at a stall filled with giant stuffed teddy bears.
"Sakura let's go" Sasuke said walking back to his teammate and Sakura turned to him and frowned.
"Really? But I want to try and play for one of these stuffed bears. The stall owner says he makes them all by hand!" Already making up her mind Sakura had handed over a few dollars and the man running the stall gave her 4 small rubber balls.
"You one set of those pins over there and you win a bear. Simple as that" The man said and Sakura grinned preparing for her first throw.
Due to her extensive target practice as a ninja throwing kunai with Tsunade and Kakashi, Sakura knew she was a fairly decent shot. So when the pins fell the first time around she wasn't at all surprised. Grabbing a hold of the enormous bear Sakura smiled and asked Sasuke where he wanted to go next. Sasuke grabbed her hand gently and led her through the crowded carnival style area glancing frequently at his watch.
"Do you have somewhere else to be Sasuke?" Sakura asked sounding a little hurt. Sasuke shook his head once and continued to lead her out of the busy festival grounds to the spot near the river where they were supposed to have lunch the day Itachi returned to the village. Sitting down hurriedly on the closest bench Sasuke tried to appear normal and kept his eyes open for the ridiculously signal the dobe had come up with.
Sakura adjusted her dress and placed the bear next to her on the ground. Whether he knew it or not Sasuke had brought her to a spot where most couples who had attended the festival were now located. Seeing a boy and a girl a little older than themselves making out in public made Sakura feel uncomfortable, she was not an advocate of ridiculously over the top PDA. Sasuke eventually seemed to cotton on to their surroundings and hated Naruto even more.
Where the hell is he anyway? How long am I supposed to sit here with Sakura around all of these couples on dates? Sasuke thought and went to check his watch again when his teammate grabbed his wrist.
"Sasuke seriously what's with all the watch checking? If you have to be somewhere we can go it's not a big deal" Sakura said quietly.
"Hn it's not that" Sasuke began unsure of how to continue without ruining the surprise.
"Oh would you look at that Daisuke how sweet is that couple! Remember when I first held your hand you were so nervous I thought you were going to throw up!" A woman remarked loudly passing by Sasuke and Sakura with her husband.
Sasuke pulled his wrist out of Sakura's grasp and Sakura looked away awkwardly at the thought of being mistaken as a couple on a date. That was happening a lot lately where people would mistake herself and Sasuke for being a couple.
"Sasuke is this a date?" Sakura asked deciding she was sick of playing mind games and wanted a straight answer from the Uchiha prodigy.
"No didn't I say we were going out for your birthday as friends" Sasuke stated internally recovering from the shock of the blunt question.
"Right. Well what about what happened in the Land of Snow when I was on watch?" Sakura pressed and Sasuke frowned in annoyance.
"You're asking too many questions Sakura. I seem to recall you saying that we were teammates and friends. That's all"
"Well what about all those weird signals you've been sending me and the fact that everyone who sees us together mistakes us for a couple?" Sakura continued wanting to sort out their position.
"Hn signals? Sakura you sound just like those annoying girls who follow me around everywhere and how exactly can I control what other people think when they see us?" Sasuke snapped feeling frustrated that Naruto still had not arrived and the topic of conversation making him uncomfortable.
"So there's nothing then. I'm just imagining it all"
"Hn"
"Fine then" Sakura said bluntly.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAKURA-CHAN!" Naruto called out from behind a bush and the rest of Rookie 9 including Lee's team jumped out from their hiding places.
"What the hell is this Forehead!? So much for Sasuke not being a priority anymore you're basically throwing yourself at him and demanding that he's wanting to be more than friends with you when he clearly isn't" Ino demanded having heard everything that was said along with the other genin.
"What are you all doing here?" Sakura asked feeling humiliated knowing that they'd heard everything.
"It's a surprise party for you Sakura-chan! Sasuke-teme and I organised everything for you to help take your mind off the problems you've been having and your work stress!" Naruto exclaimed happily but stopped when he noticed Sakura looking uncomfortable and embarrassed.
"Oh Sakura we heard your youthful confession to Sasuke! I am sorry for your heartbreak truly I am! The Uchiha suitor was not worth your heart!" Lee exclaimed and Sakura felt angry immediately.
"Shut up Lee you're making an uncomfortable situation even worse" Tenten hissed and slapped a hand over the spandex ninja's mouth.
"I didn't confess to him I just-"
Yeah right Forehead we all heard it!" Ino declared even louder and Shikamaru sighed. "Shut up would you woman? The situation is troublesome enough"
"I-I think we should all go and enjoy the festival don't you?" Hinata said trying to take the spotlight off Sakura. Shino nodded in agreement.
"Uchiha you really have no idea how to let women down gently do you? You could have saved poor Sakura here all the embarrassment by just nipping that thing in the bud when it started" Kiba chimed in and Sasuke growled at him.
"Hmm yum yum pork ribs and special sauce. Huh, oh right Happy Birthday Sakura! What did I miss?" Choji asked walking up to the group with his face full of pork ribs.
"It seems Sakura perceived Sasuke had an intention of being more than friends with her but Sasuke has denied any such intention leaving Sakura embarrassed because her affection was one-sided and we all happened to overhear the awkward outcome" Neji summed up concisely but hissed in pain when Tenten smacked him hard on the arm. "How did I end up with two idiots like you for teammates?"
"I think I'm just going to leave" Sakura said quietly to Naruto and picked up the bear she had won herself as the Rookie 9 chattered amongst themselves.
"What but Sakura-chan you can't go the whole party is for you! We even brought you a cake! Don't worry about Sasuke-teme he's just being a bastard like always" Naruto tried to reassure his teammate and shot Sasuke a dirty look over his shoulder.
"I'm tired Naruto I did a long day at the hospital without even realising it was my birthday and now I've been humiliated in front of all my friends who now probably see me as a weak Sasuke fan-girl again even though that's not the case at all" Sakura explained.
"Hn Sakura you don't have to leave" Sasuke said but Sakura ignored him. "You've made your position perfectly clear so let me make mine. That was a lapse in my concentration and clearly I was looking at things that weren't there. I have my answer now and I know exactly where I stand with you"
Pushing past the rest of Rookie 9 Sakura held the bear tightly in her arms as she walked away from what could possibly be described as the worst birthday she had ever had.
Hi everyone!
Late again with the update this week sadly but at least it happened! I hope you enjoyed this filler chapter even though it was a lot of angst I think…. Anyway next chapter will start the Land of Tea Arch which should be a lot of fun to write. Thanks to all you wonderful reviewers/favouriters/followers for your ongoing support – much appreciated! ^^ I'll see you all again next week!